The Ascension of Aaron (Ex 30:1-10)

The Ascension of Aaron Exodus 25:1-30:10

The 30th Annual Symposium on Exegetical Theology

Concordia Theological Seminary

Ft. Wayne, Indiana

January 20-21, 2015

Robert Hinckley

The Organization of the Tabernacle Texts (cf. Ex 19 - Num 10)

!  Exodus 25-31 (prescriptive)

!  Exodus 35-40 (descriptive)

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Exodus 30:1-10 The Altar of Incense

(cf. SR Driver, Literature of the Old Testament, “[Ex] 30-31…form part of a secondary and posterior stratum of P, representing a later phase of ceremonial usage,” p. 38.)

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A redaction that is ‘out of place’?

Studies of “P”

!  Reuss, Graf, Kuenen, Wellhausen

!  P. Haupt, S. Driver, O. Eissfeldt, M. Noth

!  J. Milgrom, S. McEvenue, A. Hurvitz,

!  F. Andersen, R. Polzin, M. Paran, G. Rendsburg

!  M. Koppel, N. Akiva, I. Dershowitz, N. Dershowitz

(cf. L. Petersson, “Priestly Source of the Pentateuch,” Encyclopedia of Hebrew Language and Linguistics, ed. Geoffrey Khan. Leiden: Brill, 2013.)

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Studies of “P”

Since Wellhausen, many have

regarded Exodus 30:1-10 as a

later addition to the original

text of “P”. The incense altar

was deemed out of place, and

evidence of subsequent cultic

advancement.

!  Ex 25:1- 27:19 - Grundschrift

!  Ex 27:20-21

!  Ex 28:1-43

!  Ex 29:1-37

!  Ex 29:38-46

!  Ex 30-31 - Schichten

!  Ex 35-40

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Our thesis is that the incense altar is not out of place,

but exactly where it is meant to be.

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Order of Cultic Items

The typical order of the tabernacle’s vessels is made

evident by a number of listings:

Ex 30:26-28; 31:7-11; 35:11-19;

36:8- 38:20; 40:1-15, 17-33a;

Num 3:31, 4:4-15. The incense altar always follows the menorah

and comes before the altar of

burnt offering.

(1) Ark/Mercy Seat

2. Veil

3. Showbread Table

4. Menorah

5. Altar of Incense

6. Altar of Burnt Offering

(7) Laver

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Order of Cultic Items

A different order prevails in the first

tabernacle speech.

Ex 25:1-30:10

(1) Ark/Mercy Seat

3. Showbread Table

4. Menorah

2. Veil

6. Altar of Burnt Offering

5. Altar of Incense

(7) (Laver)

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A complex interweaving of ideologies and praxis govern the order of the seven tabernacle speeches (Ex 25-31). The speeches:

!  prescribe the tabernacle, its vessels, priesthood and service;

!  express the order of creation (Gen 1:1-2:3);

!  express the giving of the Torah upon Mount Sinai (Ex 19-24);

!  follow the order of the Divine Service (תמיד), Ex 25:30, 27:20,

28:29-30, 38, 29:38, 42, 30:8; Lev 6:6, 13, 24:2, 3, 4, 8; Num 4:7,

16, 9:16.

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Creation

Mountain

Theophany

Divine Service

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The tabernacle is a cosmic mountain which Aaron ascends and

descends, performing the ritual necessary to obtain:

1.  divine favor and instruction,

2.  holiness and blessing for Israel, and

3.  order in the world.

Through the ritual of the Divine Service, particularly the cloud

of incense and the smoke of burnt offering, the Lord’s gracious

presence and favor is manifested to Israel.

Ritual Theophany

L. Michael Morales, The Tabernacle Pre-Figured (Leuven: Peeters, 2012) 249-270;

Kjeld Nielsen, Incense in Ancient Israel (Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1986) 71-73; 82-83;

86-87; Christophe Nihan, From Priestly Torah to Pentateuch (Tubingen: Mohr

Siebeck, 2007) 99-105, 375-79; John W. Kleinig, Leviticus (St.Louis: Concordia

Publishing House, 2003) 218-20.

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Aaron goes up in a cloud; he comes down in a cloud.

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Aaron ascends;

The LORD descends.

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Cosmic Mountain Ideology through the waters ⇒ to the mountain ⇒ for worship

(L. Michael Morales, The Tabernacle Pre-Figured. Leuven: Peeters, 2012).

Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?

Psalm 24:3

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מצוה, תורה, לחת Exodus 24:12

See, behold ,חזהExodus 24:9-11

Ascend! Exodus 24:1, עלה (9, 12, 13, 15, 18)

Altar ,מזבח at the foot of the

mountain Exodus 24:4

Moses, Joshua Aaron, Nadab, Abihu Seventy Elders of Israel

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And the glory of the Lord dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. Ex 24:16a

And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of

the midst of the cloud. Ex 24:16b

Then Moses ascended the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. Ex 24:15

Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring

fire on the top of the mountain in the

sight of the people of Israel. Ex 24:17

Aaron, Nadab, Abihu Seventy Elders of Israel

Moses

Joshua

As with Moses and Mount Sinai,

so with Aaron and the Tabernacle.

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(cf. J. Milgrom, Leviticus 1-16 (AB). NY: Doubleday, 1991. p. 140-43).

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Aaron, Nadab, Abihu Seventy Elders of Israel

Moses

Priesthood

Aaron

Mountain / Tabernacle

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Diagrams of the tabernacle are often viewed from a

horizontal perspective. A vertical view, however, better

expresses a tripartite structure which has a three-fold

gradation. The same is true for creation.

Cosmology – Genesis 1

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Seas

Earth

Heavens

Let the dry land appear, ראה, v. 9

The order of the creation account (Gen 1) displays a descending/ascending pattern of structure and “ritual”.

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(cf. N. Sarna, JPS Torah Commentary: Genesis. New York: 1989, p.4)

Genesis 1 Form / Vocation

1.  Light אור !  separated the light from the

darkness

2.  Heaven רקיע !  separated the waters under

from the waters above

3.  Earth, Seas ימים, ארץ !  waters gathered together !  dry land appears (ראה) !  earth brought forth (יצא)

vegetation, plants, trees עץ עשב דשא

Fill / Vocation

4.  Lights מארת !  separate light from darkness

!  for signs, seasons, days, years

!  for light on the earth

!  rule (משל) over day and night

5.  Fish, Birds עוף, שרץ !  waters swarm with swarms

!  birds fly above the earth

6.  Land Creatures, Man !  earth bring forth livestock בהמה

!  image of God ,אדם

!  dominion (רדה) over fish, birds, livestock and over all the earth

!  plants, trees for food לאכלה

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Just as God spoke through seven days in creating the heavens and the

earth (Gen 1:1- 2:3), so the Lord spoke seven times in delivering the

“pattern” of the tabernacle to Moses (Ex 25-31).

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Seven Tabernacle Speeches (Exodus 25-31)

1.  Ex 25:1- 30:10 – Ark, Mercy Seat, Table, Menorah, Tabernacle Curtains, Tent, Coverings, Veil, Screen, Outer Altar, Courtyard, High Priest’s Vestments, Consecration Service, Divine Service (תמיד), Incense Altar

2.  Ex 30:11-16 – Census, Half-Shekel

3.  Ex 30:17-21 – Laver

4.  Ex 30:22-33 – Anointing Oil

5.  Ex 30:34-38 – Incense

6.  Ex 31:1-11 – Artisans ( אלהים רוח , cf. Gen 1:2)

7.  Ex 31:12-17 – Sabbath Day

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The First Tabernacle Speech (Ex 25:1- 30:10)

1.  Ex 25:1- 27:19 the structure and its furnishings, the spatial aspects of God dwelling in Israel’s midst,

“tabernacle” משכן.

2.  Ex 27:20- 30:10 the Divine Service, (& the seven-day

consecration service), emphasizes the ritual meeting between God and Israel, “tent of meeting” מועד אהל .

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Tabernacle Speech 1.1 (Ex 25:1- 27:19)

The vessels, paraments, and structure of the tabernacle are

delineated in descending/ascending fashion.

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!  25:1-7 Terumah, materials for construction

!  25:8-9 purpose statement and “pattern” directive

!  25:10-16 Ark

!  25:17-21 Cover

!  25:22 ritual function of Ark, Cover

!  25:23-29 Table

!  25:30 ritual instruction for Table Bread תמיד

!  25:31-39 Menorah

!  25:40 pattern directive*

!  26:1-6 Tabernacle curtains

!  26:7-13 goats hair Tent

!  26:14 tanned ram skins and tachish coverings for Tent

!  2:15-29 planks, sockets and bars

!  26:30 pattern directive*

!  26:31-35 Veil, materials, posts, hooks, sockets, function and spatial aspect

!  26:36-37 entrance screen, materials, posts, hooks, sockets

!  27:1-8a Altar (of burnt offering)

!  27:8b pattern directive*

!  27:9-19 Courtyard curtains, posts, sockets, Gate, post-bands, utensils, pegs

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“Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle,

and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.” (Ex 25:9)

The pattern (תבנית) is three-fold:

“as shown on the mountain.”

1.  Ex 25:40

2.  Ex 26:30

3.  Ex 27:8b

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Ex 25:10-39

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Ex 26:1-29

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Ex 26:31- 27:8a

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Ex 27:9-19


In the second half of the first tabernacle speech, the focus is on

Aaron and the ritual (תמיד, Tamid) of the tent of meeting,

and is described in descending/ascending fashion.

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!  27:20-21 ritual instruction for tending Lamps תמיד

!  28:1-5 Priests, vestments, purpose, materials

!  28:6-12a Eiphod, materials

!  28:12b ritual function of shoulder stones

!  28:13-14 frames and chains

!  28:15-28 Breastplate of judgment

!  28:29-30 ritual function/instruction of Breastplate, Urim/Thummim תמיד x2

!  28:31-34 Robe of Eiphod

!  28:35 ritual function of bells, law

!  28:36-37 Headplate

!  28:38 ritual function/instruction of Headplate תמיד

!  28:39 tunic, turban, sash

!  28:40-41 Aaron’s sons vestments and purpose

!  28:42-43 breeches, ritual function, law

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29:1-37 ritual instruction for consecration of Priests and Altar of burnt offering

!  29:38-42a ritual instruction of daily Burnt Offering (Lambs) תמיד x2

!  29:42b-46 institution of the Divine Service purpose statement

!  30:1-5 Altar of Incense

!  30:6 spatial aspects, ritual function

!  30:7-8 ritual instruction for burning Incense, lighting Lamps תמיד

!  30:9 law regarding alien incense

!  30:10 ritual instruction for Yom Kippur

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Tabernacle Speeches 2-7 (Ex 30:11- 31:17)

2. 30:11-15 census, half-shekel

30:16 ritual function of atonement silver

3. 30:17-21 Laver, spatial aspect, ritual instruction and law

4. 30:22-25 holy Anointing Oil, ingredients

30:26-30 ritual instruction and purpose of anointing oil

30:31-33 law regarding sacred oil

5. 30:34-36a sacred Incense, ingredients

30:36b spatial aspect, ritual instruction/function

30:37-38 law regarding sacred incense

6. 31:1-6 Betzalel, Aholiav, artisans

31:7-11 list of tabernacle items to be made

7. 31:12-17 Sabbath legislation

31:18 giving of the Tablets

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The Divine Service

!  Ex 25:30 – Table Bread

!  Ex 27:20-21 – Lamps

!  Ex 28:29-30 – Breastplate, Urim/Thummim (2)

!  Ex 28:38 – Headplate (crown)

!  Ex 29:38-42a – Altar of Burnt Offering (x2)

!  Ex 30:7-8 – Altar of Incense, Lamps

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occurs 8 times in Exodus 25:1-30:10 תמיד

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!  The first tamid (תמיד) mentioned is the setting of showbread (Ex 25:30), which concerns the Sabbath, and is for Aaron and his sons (Lev 24:5-9, קדש The bread was to remain there throughout the week; it was always to .(קדשיםbe on the table.

!  The next seven tamid are bracketed by the ritual concerning the lampstand, enveloping the description of the daily Divine Service as a “service of light” (Ex 27:20-21, 30:7-8; cf. Peter Kearney, “Creation and Liturgy,” ZAW 89.3, 1977).

!  The first speech continues to descend until the seven-day consecration service of Ex 29:1-37.

!  Before the Divine Service proper could begin, Aaron, his vestments, his sons and their vestments, and the Altar of Burnt Offering, must be consecrated, and the rite of atonement performed. This consecration of the priests and the founding of the Altar of Burnt Offering will take place through seven days (Ex 29:35-37; Lev 8:33-34).

Exodus 29:1-37 Seven-day Consecration

Frank Gorman, “Priestly Rituals of Founding,” JSOTSup 173, 1993.

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!  The Divine Service will be instituted at the Altar of Burnt Offering (Ex 29:38-46; cf. Lev 8-9; Ex 24:3-8; Ex 20:24-26).

!  Once Aaron and his sons and the Altar of Burnt Offering have been consecrated and atoned for (purged) in the seven-day consecration service (Ex 29:1-37; Lev 8), then the daily service proper could begin, which would start with the slaughter of the lamb for burnt offering (Ex 29:38-42).

!  The Altar of Incense would be the first to produce a cloud before the Ark in the Divine Service (cf. Ex 40:27), and its placement in Ex 30:1-10 is describing this action: it is an ascent. The “priestly writer” has gone back to where he started with Ex 25:22,

“Place it [the Incense Altar] before the פרכת that is over the Ark of the Pact—before the כפרת that is over the Pact – where I will meet with you” (Ex 30:6; cf. Meir Paran, Forms of the Priestly Style, Jerusalem: Magnes Press, 1989, p. 57-76.

!  The תמיד of Ex 30:8 is the eighth (7+1) and final occurrence of this word in Exodus 25-31.

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(Ex 30:7-8) Lamps 4.

(Ex 30:7-8) Incense 5.

Lambs, wine, meal 6. (Ex 29:38, 42)

4. Lamps (Ex 27:20-21)

5. Breastplate, U/T (Ex 28:29-30)

6. Crown (Ex 28:38)

(1) Ark/Mercy Seat

(2) Veil

3. Showbread Table Ex 25:30 (Sabbath)

(seven days)

Consecration of Aaron and sons, Altar of Burnt Offering (Ex 29:1-37; cf. Lev 8-9)

Exodus 30:1-10 An Incense Offering תמיד

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!  The altar of burnt offering, the high priest’s breastplate, and the altar of incense are square .exhibiting their inter-connection ,(רבוע)

!  Altars designated “where I will meet with you,” (Ex 29:42-43, 30:6-8, 36, cf. 25:22).

!  The 5 pillars of the entrance screen and the 4 pillars of the veil express height (Ex 26:32, 37).

!  A gradation of holiness is observed in the metals of copper, silver, and gold, and the fabrics of crimson, purple and blue (Phillip P. Jenson, Graded Holiness, JSOT Sup 106, 1992, p. 101-06).

!  Both the ritual of burnt offering and incense/lighting lamps are described by the Hebrew word, עלה, go up, ascend (Ex 29:18, 30:7-9, et.al.; cf. Roy E. Gane, Ritual Dynamic Structure, Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias Press, 2014, p. 134-35).

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Diagrams by Robert Hinckley

Illustrations & Presentation Design by Scapegoat Studio

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Documents

The Ascension of Aaron (Ex 30:1-10)